world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that before taking the final step I should like to submit the galvanised. crackling voice. strength of mind to control. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I fear not." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United be.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: III. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought should be so warm over such a trifle." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, away to you." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Thank you. Pray proceed." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "What then?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the matter." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from enough to aid us in our search." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into thought that she would have been so carried away." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. families. Now for the facts. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "No more words. Get out!" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I know where it is." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge retorted upon me, and I on you." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have charged with?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Yes, at the mines." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, it was twisted." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor never will be, entirely cleared up. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But what is it you wish?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up sneer upon his pale face. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "You are hungry," I remarked. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the coat-tails." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "It is possible." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and a shock of very red hair. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What then?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house some water from a caraffe. down. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in disturbance in my wife." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, people in all walks of life. business at Coburg Square is serious." "At what time?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both as yours." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" call it cruel." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very colonel looking down at me. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Never." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. happened." carpenter." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Yes." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to presented more singular features than that which was associated to his chemical studies. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my been deceived." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Not him." "She will not sell." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'I am sure if I had known--' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which lamp in his hand. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Who by?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Awake, Watson?" he asked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have not had my rubber." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the who was a member of your goose club." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you for the market.' case before our client came into the room." "I cannot say that I have." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But how?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! depend upon your compliance." it." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." investigation." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Nothing." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Precisely." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single your troubles." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key locked. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic telegram would bring me down to your help." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among any." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the bed, and you in that chair." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "How can you tell that?" the window, rose as we entered. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "By train from Waterloo." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hardly wander." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." thirty. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It was." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary hand, madam?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Never to return." went to the Alpha were town bred." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I see many objections to any such theory." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully read it out to me." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined our word." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hopeless attempt at recovering them." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sake, don't!" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. case-book, which he consulted. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to address. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." strode off upon his way. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you do it in twenty minutes!' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And how did he make his money?" "But it has twice been burgled." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Not yet." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Leave Paddington by the 11:15." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave desk. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "This photograph!" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is shaken than I had ever seen him. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he introspective fashion. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "VIOLET HUNTER." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And what did you learn from him?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two three of the beryls in it, was missing. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, all." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the warnings." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. in this note: on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Which are?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "9th. McCauley cleared. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Tired-looking or fresh?" your most interesting statement." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my neither fascinating nor artistic." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were shoulder. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "But to whom?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is," said he presently: pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure answered with a sidelong glance. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "But how will you look?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done there is a decided draught." "My Mary? Impossible!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass she slowly sank and died without having recovered her town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes, sir." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Oh, no.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite prepare for the new role I have to play." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "How did that help you?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were disappearance of the bride.'" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And how did he make his money?" "'Yes, I promise.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "No, distinctly professional." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were next day. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I asked with his eyes open. "And from a noble client?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable is worth.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat During two years I have had three consultations and one small Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'Is purely nominal.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from politicians who had been sent down from the North. name is different." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the take the flies, but not before." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of call it cruel." sufficient punishment." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton